Judge to rule today if Hutaree militia suspects will be released before trial

DETROIT — A federal judge is expected to decide whether eight suspected members of a Christian militia accused of conspiring to overthrow the government will stay in jail until trial.

U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald A. Scheer in Detroit said Thursday he needed more time to decide whether to grant prosecutors' request that the eight remain locked up. A decision was expected Friday.

The eight are suspected members of a group called the Hutaree, based in Michigan. They're charged with seditious conspiracy, attempting to use weapons of mass destruction and other crimes.

Prosecutors say they planned to make a false 911 call, kill responding police officers and set off a bomb at the funeral to kill many more.